Adjustable ballcock standpipe assembly

ABSTRACT

A ballcock assembly adaptable for use in a variety of sizes and types of toilet flush tanks. The ballcock assembly comprises a standpipe having a ballcock valve at its upper end and having an adjustable height mechanism for varying the height of the ballcock valve in a toilet flush tank. The ballcock valve is a positive closing valve which includes a valve element movable to an open position against the pressure of the supply water by means of a valve actuating member that is pivotally connected to the standpipe and that is also connected to a float unit which surrounds the standpipe unit. The standpipe includes a hush tube which conveys water to the bottom of the toilet flush tank. The hush tube carries water distribution control means which functions to control the proportion of water delivered to the toilet flush tank and to the bowl refill.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 036,399, filedMay 7, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,619.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ballcock assembly. Ballcockassemblies function to control the delivery of water to a toilet flushtank to maintain a predetermined level of water in the toilet flushtank. Illustrative of these ballcock assemblies of which applicant isaware are the following patents:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S. PAT. NO.      PATENTED                                                   ______________________________________                                          921,131          May 11, 1909                                               1,643,558          September 27, 1927                                         2,911,000          November 3, 1959                                           3,194,258          July 13, 1965                                              3,554,219          January 12, 1971                                           3,693,649          September 26, 1972                                         3,797,518          March 19, 1974                                             3,982,556          September 28, 1976                                         ______________________________________                                    

Ballcock valve assemblies which function to maintain a predeterminedlevel of water in a toilet flush tank are usually designed toaccommodate a particular type and size of toilet flush tank andtherefore cannot readily be installed in a variety of toilet flushtanks. General purpose ballcocks designed to be installed in a varietyof toilet flush tanks tend to be expensive and complicated.

Some ballcock valve assemblies consist of a standpipe having a positiveaction ballcock valve wherein the valve opens against the water pressurein the supply pipe. One advantage of this type of valve is that thewater pressure aids in closing the valve since its closing actioncorresponds with the flow of water through the valve. When the waterpressure is high, however, use of a positive action ballcock valve isfeasible only if the lever arm which opens the valve is sufficientlylong enough to overcome the water pressure in the supply line. The useof a long lever arm usually dictates the use of a float attached to theend of the lever arm to provide an adequate counterweight to open thevalve against the pressure of the supply water. An example of such aballcock is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 921,131. Such a ballcock valveassembly is cumbersome causing installation and adjustment to be undulydifficult. Moreover, if such a ballcock is sold as an aftermarket item,extra costs relating to packaging and distribution are incurred becauseof the unwieldly construction of the ballcock.

Elimination of the long lever arm with an attached float in a positiveaction ballcock valve has resulted in a variety of mechanisms foropening a valve against the pressure of the supply water. In U.S. Pat.No. 3,982,556 there is disclosed a positive action ballcock valve thatis operably connected to the flush trip mechanism so that manualoperation of the trip mechanism opens the valve. Thus, a fairlysophisticated linkage must be connected between the trip mechanism andthe ballcock in order to initiate operation of the ballcock valve.Consequently, this type of ballcock is not readily installed in a widevariety of toilet flush tanks.

In general, there is unavailable a low cost general purpose ballcockvalve assembly adaptable to be installed in a wide variety of toiletflush tanks.

It is the general object of the present invention, therefore, to providean improved ballcock valve assembly having a ballcock valve which opensagainst the pressure of the water supply and which is actuated by afloat that surrounds the ballcock assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ballcockassembly having an improved throttler mechanism for controlling the rateof flow of incoming water.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ballcockassembly having means for controlling the distribution of water betweenthe toilet flush tank and the toilet bowl.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a ballcockassembly having an improved height adjusting mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedballcock assembly having means for varying the level of water in thetoilet flush tank at which the ballcock valve is actuated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the inadequacies of the prior art inproviding an improved ballcock valve assembly which is compact andadaptable to be installed in a variety of types and sizes of toiletflush tanks. The ballcock valve assembly includes a standpipe that ismounted at its lower end on the bottom wall of the toilet flush tank andwhich has at its upper end a ballcock valve. The standpipe hasinterfitted telescoping tubular members, one of which forms a shank pipethat is fixedly mounted on the bottom wall of the toilet flush tank, andthe other of which forms a riser pipe that is telescopically movable onthe shank pipe to vary the height of the ballcock valve in the tank. Theshank pipe has circular grooves formed in its outer diameter. The bottomend of the riser pipe has a counterbore into which a snap ring isdisposed. The snap ring is radially expandable and contractible aroundthe shank pipe and is contracted into one of the grooves at a selectedrelative position between the shank and riser pipes to fix them in anadjusted position.

An elastomeric seal which encircles the shank pipe is positioned belowthe snap ring. A twist ring mounts onto and is releasably secured to thelower end of the riser pipe so that when it is tightened, it forces theseal against the snap ring squeezing the snap ring between the seal andthe riser pipe causing the snap ring to contract around the shank pipeto immobilize the shank pipe and the riser pipe relative to each other.

The ballcock valve is mounted at the top of the riser pipe and includesa valve element that is movable to the opened position by its movementagainst the pressure of the supply water. A water distribution chamberis disposed downstream from the valve and includes discharge openings,one of which is connected to the bowl and the remaining of which areconnected to a water outlet passageway formed by a hush tube thatsurrounds the riser pipe and the shank pipe. Inwardly projecting ribportions on the hush tube are movable when the hush tube is rotated topositions blocking at least portions of the discharge openings thatcommunicate with the hush tube. Consequently, the proportion of the flowof water discharged from the water distribution chamber to the toiletbowl and the hush tube can be selectively controlled to meet theparticular capacity requirements of the toilet flush tank and the toiletbowl.

The valve element is actuated between its opened and closed positions bya valve actuating member that is pivotally mounted at the top of thestandpipe. The valve actuating member is connected to a float unit thatsurrounds the standpipe by a connector arm which includes a plurality ofopen circular recesses or sockets into which cylindrical pin members onthe valve actuating member and the float can be snap fitted. Theconnector arm therefore enables the level of water in the toilet flushtank to be varied by varying the effective distance between the floatunit and the valve actuating member.

A throttler mechanism is provided for controlling the effective openingof the ballcock valve to thereby control the rate of flow of waterthrough the valve. The throttler mechanism includes a throttler memberthat is adjustably mounted on the valve actuating member to selectedpositions longitudinally of the valve actuating member and also radiallyof the standpipe.

The throttler member engages a stop on the standpipe to limit thedownward arc movement of the valve actuating member in opening theballcock valve. The adjusted position of the throttler member determinesthe pivotal position at which the opening movement of the valveactuating member is terminated to thus establish a preselected rate offlow of water through the valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following description whentaken in connection with the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the ballcock assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ballcock assembly;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the ballcock assembly takensubstantially from line 3--3 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of the ballcock assembly takensubstantially from line 4--4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of the ballcock assembly takensubstantially from line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the standpipe of the ballcock assemblytaken substantially from line 6--6 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the standpipe like FIG. 6 but showing thecomponents of the standpipe in a different relative orientation;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the standpipe of the ballcock assemblytaken substantially from line 8--8 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the ballcock valveof the ballcock assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lower portion of theballcock assembly shown in FIG. 3 with portions broken away for clarity;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the ballcock assembly takensubstantially from line 11--11 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a snap retaining ring which forms a componentof the ballcock assembly;

FIG. 13 is a sectional elevational view of the snap retaining ring takensubstantially from line 13--13 in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of an elastomeric seal which forms acomponent of the ballcock assembly.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also,it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawing, the ballcock assembly of this invention,indicated generally at 10, is shown in exploded form in FIG. 1 and isshown in FIG. 3 mounted on a bottom wall 14 in a toilet flush tank 12.The ballcock assembly 10, when mounted on the bottom wall 14 andconnected to a pressurized water supply (not shown), functions toautomatically maintain a predetermined level of water in the tank 12such as the level indicated at 13. The ballcock assembly 10 isfabricated from plastic components which are easily and inexpensivelyformed and which exhibit the required durability in service. Theballcock assembly 10 includes a standpipe 16 that is mounted on the wall14, a ballcock valve 18 located at the upper end of the standpipe 16, afloat unit 20 surrounding the standpipe 16 for vertical movementtherealong, a valve actuating member 22 pivotally connected to thestandpipe 16 and a connector arm 24 connecting the float unit 20 to thevalve actuating member 22.

The standpipe 16 includes a water inlet passageway 17 through whichincoming water flows to the ballcock valve 18 and a water dischargepassageway 19, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, through which water is conveyedto the toilet flush tank 12.

The standpipe 16, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 10, includes a first tubularmember or shank pipe 26 having a neck extension 28, a mounting flange 30which projects radially beyond the neck extension 28 and a threadedconnecting section 32 extending below the mounting flange 30. The shankpipe 26 mounts on the bottom wall 14 and is supported by the mountingflange 30. The threaded connecting section 32 extends through an opening33 in the bottom wall 14 and receives a nut 34 which when tightenedclamps the shank pipe 26 to the bottom wall 14 in a stationary position.The bottom of the shank pipe 26 is connected to a water supply means(not shown) for directing incoming water to the ballcock valve 18. Theinner passageway of the shank pipe 26 includes tapered wall portions 36and 38 located at opposite ends of the shank pipe 26 to smooth theincoming flow of water.

The standpipe 16 also includes a second tubular member or riser pipe 40which telescopically interfits with the shank pipe 26. The innerdiameter of the riser pipe 40 is slightly larger than the outer diameterof the neck extension 28 enabling the slidable telescopic movement ofthe riser pipe 40 on the stationary neck extension 28. The ballcockvalve 18 is mounted on the riser pipe 40 at its upper end. Since theriser pipe 40 is telescopically movable relative to the shank pipe 26,the vertical height of the ballcock valve 18 in the toilet flush tank 12can be varied.

The neck extension 28 has longitudinally spaced apart ring receivinggrooves 44 formed in its outer surface. The lower end of the riser pipe40 has an internal cavity or counterbore 46 into which a circular snapretaining ring 48 is disposed for maintaining the riser pipe 40 and theshank pipe 26 in an adjusted fixed position. The snap retaining ring 48is discontinuous being provided with an opening 50 enabling the ring 48to be radially expanded and contracted. As seen in FIG. 13, the snapring 48 has inclined upper and lower surfaces 52 and 54 that converge indirections extending radially away from the ring 48. When expanded, thesnap ring 48 is slidable along the neck extension 28 by longitudinallymoving the riser pipe 40 relative to the shank pipe 26 and ispositionable in a selected groove 44 so that when it is contracted itwill clampingly encircle the extension 28 to immobilize the riser 40relative to the shank pipe 26.

An elastomeric seal or gasket member 56 having an inside diameterslightly larger than the outside diameter of the neck extension 28 andan outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of thecounterbore 46 is disposed on the neck extension 28. The snap retainingring 48 is positioned between the gasket member 56 and an inclinedshoulder 64 formed at the upper end of the counterbore 46. The seal 56includes a tapered or inclined upper surface 57 that inclines radiallyinwardly and downwardly toward its similarly inclined bottom surface 59,which is generally parallel with the upper surface 57, as seen in FIG.14.

A twist ring 60 is threadably mounted on the riser pipe 40 at its lowerend and is provided with a central bore through which the neck extension28 extends. The twist ring 60 has an inwardly projecting flange portion62 which overlies the cavity 46 and engages the elastomeric seal 56 whenthe ring 60 is secured to the riser pipe 40. The snap ring 48 slips ontothe neck extension 28 and moves freely therealong when it is expanded.The snap retaining ring 48 is disposed in the counterbore 46 and ispositioned between the inclined shoulder 64 which is tapered inwardlyand upwardly toward the top of the standpipe 16. With the snap retainingring 48 and the gasket or seal 56 held in the counterbore 46 by theflange portion 62 of the loosened twist ring 60, the riser pipe 40 isfreely movable on the shank pipe 26 to selectively adjust the height ofthe ballcock valve 18. When the snap retaining ring 48 is positioned inalignment with a selected groove 44 to establish the desired height ofthe ballcock valve 18, the twist ring 60 is tightened causing the flange62 to bear axially against the seal 56 to apply axial forces against theflat bottom 59 of the seal 56. These axial forces on the seal 56 aretransferred to the snap retaining ring and by virtue of the inclinedsurfaces 52 and 54 on the snap retaining ring 48, the inclined shoulder64 in the counterbore 46 and the inclined surface 57 on the seal 56, thesnap retaining ring 48 is compressed inwardly into the groove 44. Thecontraction of the ring 48 draws it into the groove 44 whose depth issufficiently shallow so that the ring 48 projects beyond the groove 44in an interfering relation with the shoulder 64 and the seal 56. Theinterfering relationship prevents relative axial movement between theriser pipe 40 and the shank pipe 26. The compression of the seal 56urges it radially against both the riser pipe 40 and the shank pipe 26to establish a water tight seal between the riser pipe 40 and the shankpipe 26. Although the twist ring 60 is shown threadably mounted on theriser pipe 40, other forms of securing the twist ring on the pipe 40 canbe used. For instance, a quick release "bayonet" construction can beused wherein less than a full turn of the twist ring 60 will eitherrelease or secure the twist ring 60 on the riser pipe 40.

The ballcock valve 18, as seen in FIGS. 1, 5 and 9, includes a riser cap66 which forms a valve body and which is mounted on the upper end of theriser pipe 40. The riser cap 66 has a central bore 68 aligned with thewater inlet passageway 17 in the riser pipe 40. Upright fin members 70are formed on the riser cap 66 and extend radially inwardly into thebore 68 terminating at locations in which their inner ends 72 define acircular guide passageway 74. The spaces between the fin members 70define passageways 76 through which the incoming water flows. The fins70 also extend downwardly into the riser pipe 40 to provide a mountingbase 77 for a valve seat 78. Although the riser pipe 40, the riser cap66 and the valve seat 78 are shown as separate components, it iscontemplated that they can be formed integrally such as by being moldedinto a single unit. The valve seat 78 includes a central orifice or port80 that is bordered by an inclined wall 82 which extends upwardly fromits periphery toward the orifice 80. The riser cap 66 is assembled in ahousing 83 and is secured there by a "bayonet" fitting. The riser cap 66is positioned to partially fill the housing 83 thereby forming a waterdistribution chamber 90 between the upper end of the riser cap 66 andthe upper end of the housing 83. Four slots 84 are formed vertically inthe outer surface of the riser cap 66 and corresponding vertical slots86 are formed in the inner surface of the housing 83. When the riser cap66 is locked in place in the housing, the slots 84 align with the slots86 to define four circumferentially spaced discharge ports or openings87. The discharge ports 87 open the chamber 90 to the water outletpassageway 19 whereby water can be conveyed to the flush tank 12. Asecond discharge outlet or port 92, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, is formedopening the water distribution chamber 90 to the toilet bowl for refill.Antisiphon vent openings 94 are formed through the top of the housing 83to communicate with the water distribution chamber 90 to inhibit backsiphonage of water.

The ballcock valve 18 also includes a valve element 96 having a conicalhead 98 facing upstream in the passageway 17 for vectoring the incomingflow of water and to reduce the force required to open the valve 18. Aradially inwardly tapered elastomeric seal 100 is positioned in acircular groove 101 formed at a position slightly upstream of theconical head 98 and seats against the portions of the valve seat 78surrounding the orifice 80 to close the ballcock valve 18. Accordingly,when the ballcock valve 18 is opened, the valve element 96 is movedupstream against the incoming flow of water with the head 98 being movedagainst the water pressure. When the ballcock valve 18, which is apositive action valve, is closed, the valve element 96 is moveddownstream along with the flow of water so that the pressure in theriser pipe 40 aids in seating the seal 100 against the seat 78.

The valve element 96 further includes a valve stem 102 which has anenlarged guide portion 104 that is disposed in the guide passageway 74.The guide portion 104 engages the ends 72 of the fins 70 to provide foronly vertical guided movement of the valve element 96. A vacuum breakeror rubber disk 106 is carried by the stem 102 and is movablelongitudinally with respect thereto. The vacuum breaker 106 ispositioned in the water distribution chamber 90 and when the valve 18 isopened the incoming water forces the vacuum breaker 106 upwardly againstthe upper portions of the chamber 90 to close off the antisiphon vents94. When the valve 18 is closed, the vacuum breaker 106 drops downwardlyagainst the top of the riser cap 66. Should the valve 18 open and avacuum exist in the riser pipe 40, the vacuum breaker 106 closes thebore 68 preventing back siphonage of the water from the tank.

The valve actuating member 22 is formed of a unitary plasticconstruction which includes a pair of parallel arm members 108positioned in a side by side relationship and connected at one end by ahorizontally extending cylindrical pin 111. The construction of each armmember is essentially identical with the valve actuating member 22 beingessentially symmetrical about the line 3--3 in FIG. 2. Since the valveactuating member 22 is formed of resilient plastic, the arm members 107are movable toward and away from each other being biased toward theirparallel relationship. The arm members 108 have generally flat uppersurfaces with downwardly extending skirts 109 to form a guard inhibitingentry of foreign matter into the antisiphon vent openings 94.

Opposed pivot pins 112 (one shown in FIG. 1) are formed on the armmembers 108 facing each other. The pivot pins 112 are releasablyinserted into a horizontal opening 114 formed on a flange 116 thatextends upwardly from the housing 83. Separation of the arm members 108displaces the pins 112. After the pins 112 are aligned with the hole114, the arm members 108 are released and their resiliency moves thepivot pins 112 into the opening 114 thereby providing for the pivotalmounting of the valve actuating member 22 on the standpipe 16. It canthus be appreciated that assembly and disassembly of the valve actuatingmember 22 on the standpipe 16 is easily achieved.

Positioned inwardly of the pins 112 are projecting lug members 118. Likethe pins 112, the lug members 118 project inwardly toward each otherfrom the arm members 108. The lug members 118 releasably fit intocorresponding recesses on sockets 119 on the valve stem 102 providingfor the vertical movement of the valve element 96 when the valveactuating member 24 is pivoted in an arc on the standpipe 16. As can beseen in FIG. 3, the distance on the valve actuating member 22 betweenits point of connection to the flange 116 and the point at which thevalve element 96 is connected to the member 22 is significantly lessthan the distance between the valve element 96 and the pin 111 whichconnects to the float unit 20. Thus, a mechanical advantage is realizedwith the long lever arm between the valve element 96 and the pin 111.

The upward arc movement of the valve actuating member 22 closes thevalve 18 and is limited by the tapered seal 100 when it engages thevalve seat 78. The downward arc movement of the valve actuating member22 opens the valve 18 and terminates when it engages a stop 135 on thehousing 83. A throttling mechanism carried by the valve actuating member22 is operable to adjust the pivotal position at which the downwardmovement of the valve actuating member 22 is terminated to vary theeffective opening of the valve 18. The throttler mechanism includes athrottler member 122 having an I-beam configuration and includes anupright body portion 124 from which vertically spaced leg portions 126transversely extend. The arm members 108 have mounting ledges 128straddled by the transversely extending leg portions 126 to mount thethrottler member 122 thereon. Consequently, the throttler member 122 ismovable to longitudinal positions with respect to the arm members 108and also movable radially with respect to the upright standpipe 16.Vertical ridges 130 are formed on one of the mounting ledges 128 andcorresponding vertical ridges 132 are formed on the corresponding faceof the upright body portion 124 of the throttler member 122. Adjacentvertical ridges 130 and 132 define spaces so that the ridges on theledge 128 are positioned in the recessess formed by the ridges 132 inthe throttler member 122. Thus, the adjusted longitudinal position ofthe throttler member 122 is maintained. The throttler member 122 engagesa stop surface 135 on the housing 83 terminating the downward movementof the valve actuating member 22 establishing a predetermined effectiveopening of the valve 18. Varying the adjusted position of the throttlermember 122 thereby varies the effective opening of the valve 18 tocontrol the rate of flow of water through the valve 18. The throttlermember 122 has an inclined surface 134 for engaging the inclined stopsurface 135 on the housing 83 to provide an adequate support when thethrottler member 122 engages the housing 83.

A hush tube 140 surrounds the riser pipe 40 and together therewithdefines the water outlet passageway 19 which is in communication withthe discharge openings 87. The hush tube 140 includes primary ribportions 144 that project radially inwardly into the passageway 19 andengage the outer surface of the riser pipe 40 to center the hush tube140 with respect to the riser pipe 40. The primary rib portions ormembers 144 are circumferentially spaced to correspond with thecircumferential spacing of the discharge ports 87. The hush tube 140 isrotatably mounted in the housing 83 so that it abuts against the risercap 66 and the housing 83. The rib members 144 which extend the entirelength of the hush tube also abut against the cap 66 and the housing 83so that when the hush tube 140 is rotated the rib members 144 aremovable to positions blocking the discharge openings 87 to restricttheir effective opening. The rib members 144 thus form a flow restrictormeans for the standpipe 16. As seen in FIG. 6, the primary rib members144 are positioned so that the discharge openings 87 are completelyunobstructed. In FIG. 7, the hush tube 140 has been rotatedcounterclockwise about 30° so that the rib members 144 blockapproximately fifty percent of the opening of each discharge opening 87.In this manner, the proportion of water flowing from the distributionchamber 90 to the toilet flushing tank 12 through the water outlet 19 isresticted. Restriction of the discharge openings 87 increases the flowof water through the discharge opening 92 and to the toilet bowl. Thus,the flow restrictor means enables the proportion of water delivered tothe tank 12 and the bowl to be varied.

The twist ring 60 is provided with vertical fins 60a which engage thelower end of the hush tube 140 and hold it in the housing 83 to preventthe longitudinal movement of the hush tube 140 relative to the riserpipe 40. The twist ring 60 is also provided with inclined waterdeflecting surfaces 150 off which the water issuing from the waterdischarge passageway 19 is deflected to reduce noise attributed to theflowing water.

The hush tube 140 is, as seen in FIG. 6, also provided with secondaryrib members 146 which are circumferentially spaced along the innersurface of the hush tube between the primary rib members 144 and whichalso extend the entire length of the hush tube 140. The secondary ribmembers 146 extend only partially radially inwardly toward the riserpipe 40 and do not engage it. A pair of locking ears 151, as seen inFIGS. 1 and 10, are mounted on the riser pipe 40 at diametricallyopposed positions. The locking ears 151 are engageable with thesecondary rib members 146 to inhibit the rotation of the hush tube 140.Rotation of the hush tube 140 is achieved by manually overcoming theresistance between the locking ears 151 and the secondary rib members146. Thus, the adjusted position of the hush tube 140 and hence therelative positions of the rib members 144 relative to the dischargeopenings are maintained. The float unit 20 includes a hollow ballastcontainer 152 having a central opening through which the standpipe 16extends so that the float unit 20 surrounds the standpipe 16. A cap 156seals the container 152 which holds sand or similar ballast and whichacts as a counterweight to open the valve 18 against the pressure of thewater. The container 152 has a horizontal cylindrical pin 157 that isvertically aligned with the horizontal cylindrical pin 111 on the valveactuating member 22.

A connecting arm 24 is snap fitted onto the cylindrical pins 157 and 111and together with valve actuating member 22 forms a linkage transmittingthe vertical movement of the float unit 20 to the valve actuating member22. The connecting arm 24 comprises a vertical base 25 having aplurality of vertically spaced apart open sockets 160. The open sockets160 each have a C-shape and are formed by resilient projections 161 onthe base 25 enabling the snap fit of the cylindrical pin members 111 and157 to be achieved. The connector arm 24 enables the vertical height ofthe float unit 20 in the tank 12 to be varied to thereby vary the waterlevel at which the valve 18 is actuated. Incorporation of the connectorarm 24 in the ballcock 10 enables the level of water in the tank to bevaried while still permitting the full flow of water through the valve18 during the flush cycle.

In operation, assume that the ballcock assembly 10 is mounted in thetank 12, as shown in FIG. 3, and that the vertical height of the valve18 is to be adjusted. The twist ring 60 would be loosened therebyrelieving axial forces on the seal 56 and the snap retaining ring 48.Expansion of the ring 48 partially from the groove 44 would enable it tobe completely displaced from the groove 44 upon movement of the riserpipe 40. The riser pipe 40 would then be telescoped relative to the neckextension 28 carrying with it the ring 48, the seal 56 and the twistring 60 until the snap ring 48 was aligned with and partially insertedinto another groove 44 at a selected height. The twist ring 60 thenwould be tightened causing the flange 62 to bear against the seal 56which in turn bears against the ring 48 to contract the ring 48 into thegroove 44. A water tight seal and the fixed position of the riser pipe40 relative to the shank pipe 26 are thus established.

When the toilet is flushed, the water in the water flushing tank 12recedes causing the float unit 20 to move downwardly under gravity asthe buoyancy supporting the float unit 20 is relieved. The downwardvertical movement of the float 20 is transferred through the connectorarm 24 to the valve actuating member 22 to push the valve element 96 toopen the valve 18. The conical head 98 vectors the incoming waterreducing the force required to open the valve 18. Incoming water flowingin the riser pipe 40 passes through the passageways 76 and flows intothe water distributing chamber 90 where it pushes the vacuum breaker 106upwardly closing the vents 94. A portion of the water flows through thedischarge opening 92 to the bowl to refill it. The rest of the waterflows from the chamber 90 through the discharge openings 87 and into thewater outlet passageway 19. The proportion of water delivered to theopenings 87 and 92 is determined by the rotated position of the hushtube 140 which restricts the effective opening of discharge openings 87.

As the water level rises in the tank 12, the ballast container 152becomes buoyant and as it moves vertically upward the tapered seal 100is seated against the valve seat 78 closing the valve 18. The forcegenerated by the incoming water cooperates with the float unit 20 toshut the ballcock valve 18. Valve shutoff occurs at a water leveldetermined by the distance between the locations on the connector arm 24where the float unit 20 and the valve actuating lever arm 22 are snapfitted.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 9, when the tank 12 is filled to the water level13, the ballcock valve 18 is closed with the tapered seal 100 seatedagainst the valve seat 78. The line pressure thus acts against the valvebody 96 urging it to maintain its closed position.

The construction of the valve element 96 along with the mechanicaladvantages provided in the float unit 20, the connector arm 24 and thevalve actuating member 22 allows the orifice 80 to be larger than hasheretofore been possible. The larger orifice 80 eliminates thepossibility of scale or small foreign objects in the water being trappedin the orifice 80 which could prevent the complete closing of the valve18. The vacuum breaker 106 is urged downwardly under atmosphericpressure acting through the antisiphon vents 94 to break any vacuumexisting in the water outlet passageway 19.

An alternative structure for maintaining the hush tube 140 in acircumferentially adjusted position to control the rate of flow of waterthrough the discharge ports 87 is shown in FIG. 6. Verticalcircumferentially spaced upright grooves 200 are formed in the housing83 on the inner walls defining the opening which receives the hush tube140. A secondary or locating rib 201 is formed integral with the hushtube 140 and projects outwardly from the outer surface of the tube 140.The grooves 200 are located in selected spaced apart positions to definethree effective openings of the discharge ports 87. When the locatingrib 201 is disposed in one of the openings 200, a selected effectiveopening of the discharge ports 87 is established and maintained.Readjustment of the hush tube 140 is accomplished by manually overcomingthe resistance of the locating rib 201 in its associated groove 200 androtating the hush tube 140 to another selected position. As shown inFIG. 6, the rib 201 is positioned in the groove 200 maintaining the hushtube 140 in a position in which the discharge ports 87 are completelyunobstructed by the rib portions 144.

From the above description, it can be seen that an improved ballcockassembly is provided that will function in any toilet flush tank withoutany post-manufactured modification for fit or installation. The ballcockassembly of this invention is economical, easy to manufacture andassemble, easy to install and adjust to meet the particular installationrequirements, and performs in a manner satisfying all recognized codesand approval agencies.

It is claimed:
 1. A ballcock assembly for controlling the supply ofliquid to a liquid storage tank comprising:a standpipe for conveyingliquid to said tank, valve means on said standpipe for controlling thedelivery of liquid to said tank, said standpipe comprising alignedtubular members interfitted in a telescoping relationship enabling thepositioning of said valve means at selected heights in said tank, andlock means to secure said interfitted tubular members in an adjustedrelative position, said lock means comprising means forming anopen-ended cavity in one end of the outer one of said interfittedtubular members, said cavity surrounding the inner one of saidinterfitted tubular members, an expandable and contractible ring memberdisposed in said cavity essentially surrounding said inner tubularmember, a lock nut axially movable on and releasably secured to said oneend of said outer tubular member, an elastomeric gasket membersurrounding said inner tubular member and responsive to axial movementof said lock nut for axially engaging said ring member through saidopen-ended cavity when said lock nut is axially mounted on and securedto said outer tubular member, and shoulder means in said cavity againstwhich said ring member is urged when said lock nut is mounted onto saidone end of said tubular member, the axial movement of said lock nut ontosaid outer tubular member contracting said ring member to secure saidtubular members in fixed relative positions.
 2. The ballcock valveassembly that is defined in claim 1 further including an inwardlyprojecting flange portion on said nut member positioned to overlie saidcavity so that axial movement of said nut member onto said outer tubularmember causes said flange portion to engage said gasket member and moveit axially against said ring member and thereby squeeze said ring memberbetween said shoulder means and said gasket member to contract said ringmember around said inner tubular member.
 3. The ballcock valve assemblythat is defined in claim 2, wherein said inner tubular member has aplurality of axially spaced apart ring member receiving grooves, saidring member being contracted into one of said grooves defining aselected relative position between said tubular members.
 4. The ballcockvalve assembly that is defined in claim 3, wherein said shoulder meansand said gasket member have inclined surfaces abutting said ring memberon axially opposite sides thereof, said inclined surfaces converging indirections extending radially outwardly of said tubular members.
 5. Theballcock valve assembly that is defined in claim 4, wherein said ringmember has inclined surfaces on said axially opposite sides convergingin directions extending radially outwardly of said tubular members, saidring member surfaces engaging and cooperating with said shoulder meanssurface and said gasket member surface to contract said ring member intoone of said grooves when said lock nut is mounted onto said one end ofsaid outer tubular member.
 6. The ballcock valve assembly that isdefined in claim 5, wherein each of said grooves has a depth sufficientto enable said ring member when contracted to project radially outwardlybeyond said inner tubular member to establish an interfering relationwith said ring member and said tubular members to restrain relativemovement of said tubular members from a fixed adjusted position.